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Arthur Mitchell will receive the Franklin D. Roosevelt Freedom of Speech and Expression Medal for using art to transcend boundaries.

Mr. Mitchell’s career as New York City Ballet’s first African American male dancer, his commitment to dance education for young people from all backgrounds, and his founding of the Dance Theatre of Harlem serve as a model for us all. Through the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Mr. Mitchell created a space for dancers who were often otherwise excluded. He reminds us that the arts, and dance, are a critical part of the vibrant, creative, participatory democracy that Franklin Roosevelt championed. ...
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